The New 2GB Raspberry Pi 5: Another Option for Linux Sysadmins
The Raspberry Pi single computing board has long been the darling of hobbyists, even though plenty of sysadmins, scientists, data crunchers, and other users have made it their own. Unfortunately, Raspberry Pi news has sometimes been overshadowed by supply issues for some time, but those kinks appear to be getting worked out, and the popular platform continues to soldier on.
With that in mind, this article introduces the Raspberry Pi 5 with 2GB of RAM, released on Aug. 19, 2024. At first glance, it might seem a bit underpowered compared to other Raspberry Pi 5 options, but it fits nicely into a specific niche that just might be attractive to IT administrators and other power users.
How the 2GB Pi Compares
How does the new Pi compare to other models? The primary difference is the quantity of RAM, so this platform is best for your low-memory projects. Maybe you’re setting up some IoT sensors or planning to rotate static informational or advertising images in a lobby or other public space.
If you want to use a Raspberry Pi as a daily driver desktop system or multimedia streaming box, you should probably spend a few more bucks on the 4GB or 8GB Raspberry Pi versions to support these more RAM-intensive scenarios.
There’s more to a computer (even a single-board system!) than just memory. The basic Raspberry Pi 5 features other essential specs, including:
- 4 GHz quad-core 64-bit ARM BMC2712C1 processor
- VideoCore VII GPU
- Dual 4Kp60 HMDI display outputs
- 11ac wireless support
- Bluetooth support
- USB 2.0 and 3.0 ports
- Dual camera receivers
If you add the optional HATs, you can also get the following:
- Onboard Gigabit Ethernet
- PCIe 2.0 interface
In his release announcement for the 2GB Raspberry Pi 5, Eben Upton, the CEO of Raspberry Pi Trading, goes into detail about changes to the BMC2712C1 processor that help keep the price down for this model.
The short version of the explanation is that the modified processor lacks capabilities BMC normally includes for other platforms that the Raspberry Pi does not utilize. That’s an important consideration, and it’s nice to see that the folks at Raspberry Pi continue to focus on the intended use and audience.
The Raspberry Pi OS is optimized for this hardware, adding performance, power management, and features specific to it and eliminating extra capabilities that are unneeded. If that distribution isn’t to your liking, there are a variety of alternate Pi-optimized OS choices, including Ubuntu, AlmaLinux, Pop!_OS, and even Kali Linux.
2GB Raspberry Pi Use Cases
The Raspberry Pi is often seen in the context of hobbyist or enthusiast users, but it has a place in the business world. Consider some of the following use cases for your new 2GB Raspberry Pi 5:
- Digital sign and media displays
- X (Twitter) bot for marketing
- Thin-client systems for end users or kiosks
- Server room environment sensors
- Simple and lightweight Python programming platform
- Embedded systems
Pay attention to the RAM requirements for your projects — remember that this newest Raspberry Pi 5 offering offers less memory space. It’s not going to be the tool for every job. You may find yourself reaching for the 4GB or 8GB Raspberry Pi solutions instead.
Other Options and Use Cases
The current Raspberry Pi lineup is pretty diverse, including small Pi Pico options and much more powerful Raspberry Pi 5 configurations.
The 2GB Raspberry Pi 5 meets the goal of accessibility and flexibility, coming in at a mere US$50, making it the least expensive of the Raspberry Pi 5 choices. The 4GB Raspberry Pi 5 will set you back $60, and another $20 will get you the 8GB device.
These configurations are more suited to web servers, name resolution services, NTP time devices, or other similar uses. You may also prefer the additional memory for more extensive automation, AI, security, or prototyping projects. As you phase out CentOS, remember there’s an AlmaLinux image specifically for the Raspberry Pi.
Other Raspberry Pi
Raspberry Pi 4, 3, and Zero hardware is still available if your project requires that specific hardware, with costs running from $5 to up to around $75.
However, if you’re just starting fresh with the Raspberry Pi platform and deploying it in an enterprise environment to support essential sensor or IoT functions, I suggest you start with version 5 devices.
Get Your Own 2GB Raspberry Pi
Various resellers worldwide offer the Raspberry Pi, and the 2GB version is already available. The Raspberry Pi 5 product information page has links to order devices and accessories.
Various add-on devices extend the Pi’s capabilities. Many of these are project-specific. Modifications include:
- HATs (Hardware Attached on Top): Add functionality, including additional processing or expansion slots.
- Cameras: Add visual elements to your Pi projects.
- Project kits: Some preconfigured kits are available that include all hardware needed for specific projects.
Don’t forget to pick up a case to protect your Raspberry Pi. The Pi 5 also benefits from active cooling, so be sure to keep that in mind with your case and other storage options.
Wrap Up
The 2GB Raspberry Pi platform is a great choice for many business cases and home projects. Its expandability and processing power are the same as those of the 4GB and 8GB versions, even though the processor is stripped down compared to other Pi. Watch for projects and applications with minimal RAM requirements, including embedded systems, display-only situations, and basic server or network functionality.
The 2GB Pi is available now for $50, maintaining the hardware’s accessible price point. Remember to add cooling and a case, depending on your project.
